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Ricky Ponting, the former Australia captain, has been dropped from the ODI squad for the remainder of the triangular series following the worst batting slump of his limited-overs career.
Scores of 2, 1, 6, 2 and 7 have drawn the curtain on Ponting'stime as an ODI batsman, despite the fact that he served as stand-in captain for the injured Michael Clarke in the last two of those matches. In a 375-game one-day international career, never before had Ponting made five single-figure scores in a row. John Inverarity, the national selector, said Ponting would bemissed, but the time had come to move on in the 50-over format.
"The team will not seem the same without him, but movingon from the omission of players who have been outstanding over a long period of time is the nature of elite sport," Inverarity said. "Ricky's record speaks for itself. He is one of the truly great performers in the history of Australian ODI cricket, with his reputation enhanced further by him captaining Australia to two World Cup victories.
"Ricky's contribution goes far beyond his batting statistics and his brilliant fielding. The example he sets in every respect and his extraordinarily positive influence in the dressing-room is acknowledged by all. He is heldin the highest possible regard by his team-mates and there is no higher accolade than this. Ricky being prepared to take over the captaincy in Michael Clarke's recent absence for the sake of the team is yet anotherexample of his selfless attitudeand team-first focus."
Like Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh before him, Ponting was not given the chance to choose when he would end hisODI career. As late as Sunday night in Brisbane following Australia's win in Brisbane, Ponting said he had no intention of stepping aside, and had left his future in the hands of the selectors. Inverarity countered suggestions that Ponting might have been given a farewell match with the stark realities of professional sport.
"Ricky Ponting has been dropped from the ODI side and the national selection panel has spoken about moving towards the 2015 World Cup," he said. "The door is never closed on anybody, but it's a strong indication there. We were very keen for Ricky to play in these games because we intended to blend in some younger players, and his influence for them has been remarkable. But we need to at some stage move on.
"We're not ruling him out because one never knows what's around the corner â€¦ but we've certainly got 2015 inmind, and we knew at the beginning of the series when we wanted those young players to be blended in, in the presence of Ricky.
"In elite sport there's no place for sentiment. There are always the two schools of thought, going out on your own terms and that, and the members of the national selection panel were unanimous in their view. It was discussed by email last night, a few calls last night andwas confirmed this morning. That's the decision and that's elite sport."
Ponting has been replaced in the squad by the allrounder and vice-captain Shane Watson, who proved his fitness after a stubborn calf injury by playing for New South Wales in a Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia in Perth. Inverarity announced one other change to the squad, recalling Ryan Harris in place of Mitchell Starc.He also confirmed that Matthew Wade had now usurped Brad Haddin as the No.1 wicketkeeper in limited-overs matches, and that the panel intened to take both glovemen to the West Indies.
"Ryan Harris has been re-included in the squad with Mitchell Starc making way for his return. Mitchell will benefit greatly from the Tests and the ODIs he has played," Inverarity said. "His development as a player of the future is most encouraging. Shane Watson also comes back into the squad. He is an all-rounder of proven class and the NSP is keen to have him re-join the squad.
"The NSP made the decision that Matthew Wade is now thepreferred ODI wicket-keeper for the Australian ODI team. The intention at this stage is tohave both Matthew and Brad Haddin in the West Indies together for the duration of the tour."